A drink-driver collided with roadworks on Douglas promenade and nearly hit two other vehicles in Tesco car park then tried to blame his partner.

Ryan Kneen, aged 28, of Snugborough Avenue, Union Mills, who was also disqualified from driving, failed a breathalyser test with a reading of 97. The legal limit is 35.

He admitted offences of dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, drink driving, taking a vehicle without consent, and driving with no insurance.

Magistrates deemed the case too serious for summary court and committed Kneen to appear at the Court of General Gaol Delivery on November 11.

Prosecutor Barry Swain told the court that Kneen was disqualified from driving for six years in October 2017.

Despite this, two witnesses, one an off-duty police officer, reported seeing Kneen driving a Peugeot 207 in Tesco car park on October 24 at 10.15pm.

Both witnesses said that Kneen had almost collided with them as he drove out of the car park. A third witness then reported seeing Kneen collide with roadworks on the promenade.

Police went to Kneen’s home but he was not there.

However, as they were there, Kneen arrived and was said to be driving aggressively as he abandoned the vehicle at the back of the property.

Police knocked on his door and when Kneen answered they said he appeared drunk, smelling of alcohol and slurring his words.

He was arrested but said to police: ’Are you serious? Are you joking? My missus is there, she drove the car, ask her.’

At police headquarters Kneen failed the breathalyser test, with the reading of 97.

When interviewed, he handed in a prepared statement making a full confession to the offences and saying that he had been struggling with his mental health.

Defence advocate James Peterson said: ’Despite some initial reluctance to do so, Mr Kneen did make full admission at the police station. I would submit it was very much a cry for help.

’It seems in many ways he was trying to get caught.’

Mr Peterson went on to tell the court that a probation report and a psychiatric assessment would be beneficial before sentencing as there were clearly significant issues that needed to be considered.

No bail application was made and Kneen was remanded in custody.